A popular card game in the Philippines, Tong-its (or just Tongits) is based on the rules of Tonk, a variant of Rummy played in the United States. By discarding cards in the form of melds of "books" and "sequences," players aim to reach the finish of the game with the lowest possible score, much like in other Rummy rule modifications.
Apps have been developed to allow you to play games on your computer or mobile device in this age of advanced technology. Among the many tabletop and casino card games that have evolved, Tongits Online is only one example.
You’ll be surprised to find a handful of the best online casino Philippines sites here on SafeOnlineCasinosPH that offer Tongits and other Filipino favorites. For now, let’s focus on the game and why this could be the perfect game you should pick up next!
Tongits Explained
The game of Tongits is played by three people and is similar to rummy. In the '90s, the game became quite popular on Luzon, the biggest island in the Philippines. The game quickly gained popularity around the globe, and now a large number of Filipinos can play Tongits online.
No one knows where it came from, but the Ilocanos were the ones who brought it to a wider audience. It was formerly known as "tung-it" and was thought to have originated in Pangasinan in the mid-1980s. Similar to rummy, the game has drawn comparisons to mahjong, another well-liked Asian card game.
Because of lockdowns and quarantines, the online version of Tongits, which was already popular when people came together, is becoming even more popular.
How to Play Online Tongits
Among the Rummy family, Tongits stands out since it can only be played by three people at a time. An intriguing aspect of the deal is the odd number of players and the fact that they cannot be added or removed from the game. Learn the ropes of the online Tongits game with this concise guide.
The Deal
The Dealer receives thirteen cards in the first deal, while the two players who are not dealing receive twelve. This intriguing setup necessitates a random selection of the Dealer.
One option is to roll the dice and choose the highest number; another is to pull cards from the deck and choose the top card. In the event of a tie, it would be customary to roll again or draw another card.
Following the selection of the Dealer, the cards will be dealt according to the procedure outlined above. Afterward, the center of the playing area is designated for the remaining cards in the deck, as is customary in other Rummy games. In case additional cards are required, they can be drawn from this pool of cards, which is referred to as the "stock".
The Game
Every player has to take a card from the stock and put it in the discard pile at the beginning and conclusion of their turn, respectively.
The Dealer and Players will now proceed to form melds and sets. Simply adding more cards to an existing meld on the board is what constitutes a set. Similar to the common poker hands, melds are sets of cards.
In Tongits, each card has its own point value. At the end of the game, players add these point values to their total using the cards in their hand.
The End
In order to keep track of point values, knowing how Tongits ends is crucial. In this section, we’ll go over the variety of ways it can be ended.
| Stock-Out | Every single card in the deck has been used up in a stock-out scenario. The moment this happens, the game terminates without further player action. This renders the ability to play melds or sets on that turn unavailable to the Player who was drawn last. |
| Tongit | The TongitThe "Tongit" is another option. Players have the option to declare "Tongit" right after laying down their final card if their hand is entirely devoid of any cards. Since their point value in the total will be zero, the Player who declares Tung-it automatically wins. |
| Draw | Just because a game has that name doesn't ensure it will draw. The player with the lowest value of cards may declare Draw if they consider they have no better hand. An announcement of a draw can be made at any moment; however, it is considered impolite to do it before the start of the game unless it is a Double Hit. |
| Double Hit | You can also end the game using another mechanic borrowed from Mahjong, called the Double Hit. At the beginning of the game, after the dealer has discarded, a player is said to have "Double Hit" if they manage to meld and set their whole 12-card hand without drawing or discarding. Upon winning the game, the Player is immediately paid any wagers that may be due to them. |
How Do I Win at Tongits?
The game terminates if the stockpile of cards is depleted completely. Once the player with the last card finishes their turn, everyone should add up their points. The following is a breakdown of the cards' point values: In a game of baccarat, a king, queen, or jack can be worth 10 points, whereas a number card can be valued at 9 points, 4 points, etc., depending on its numerical value. The value of an ace is one point.
During your turn, shout "Tongit!" once you’re able to meld, set aside, or discard all the cards in their hands. Execute this immediately following the play or discard your final card. You have triumphed in the game.
Quick Strategies When Playing Tongits
Here at SafeOnlineCasinosPH, we'll provide you with some simple pointers on how to become a better online Tongits player.
To begin, remember that no wild cards are ever allowed, so you'll need all of the necessary melds to form a meld. Furthermore, your opponents are crucial to the "setting" process, and Burning can only occur if you set without merging. Prioritize finishing your first meld right away.
Additionally, a game of Tongits can only have 17 hands because a card must be drawn before each turn can begin. This means that you will only have seven or eight rounds to try to empty your hand before Stock-Out happens when divided by three.
Enjoy Tongits Online at SafeOnlineCasinosPH Today!
Among Filipinos, Tongits ranks high among the most played card games played indoors. Since then, the majority of Filipinos have picked up the game purely via oral tradition. But now, thanks to technology, you can get Tongits online. The experience is quite similar to playing a classic table game, but you can enjoy it on your mobile device or computer.
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